SAN FRANCISCO, January 15, 2019 /PRNewswire/ --
Lightsource BP, a global market leader in the development, acquisition and long-term management of large-scale solar projects and smart energy solutions, is pleased to announce the appointment of Kevin Smith as CEO for the Americas, leading Lightsource BP's expansion across the region.
Kevin joins Lightsource BP with over 30 years of experience in the renewable energy sector. Most recently, he was CEO and one of the founding executives at California-based SolarReserve, where he drove the company's global expansion and commercialization of their proprietary solar energy storage technology.
Prior to joining SolarReserve, Kevin was Senior Vice President at Invenergy LLC where he led the growth of the business from a start-up in 2004 to one of the largest privately-owned renewable energy businesses in the world just a few years later. Kevin has also previously served as President of Insight Energy, Chief Operating Officer of London-based Rolls-Royce Power Ventures, and Vice President - General Manager of Indeck Energy Services.
Over his career, Kevin has actively led the development, financing and construction of privately-owned energy projects in the U.S. and more than a dozen countries across five continents, including solar and wind projects over the last 14 years. He earned his MBA in Finance from the University of Chicago and his Mechanical Engineering degree from Purdue University.
Commenting on the announcement, Nick Boyle, Lightsource BP CEO, said: "We are delighted to welcome Kevin to Lightsource BP. As Lightsource BP continues its rapid growth across North, South and Central America, Kevin's knowledge and experience makes him an exciting and valuable addition to the Lightsource BP family."
Kevin Smith added, "I'm thrilled to be joining Lightsource BP at this exciting period of the company's expansion. I look forward to applying Lightsource BP's winning formula that has made it such a success story and driving the business forward to support the demand for solar energy in the region."
Lightsource BP recently announced two new U.S. collaborations, with California's Sacramento Municipal Utility District (SMUD), one of the nation's largest municipal utilities, and with Continental Divide Electric Cooperative (CDEC), a member-owned distribution cooperative in New Mexico. The power purchase agreements (PPAs), comprising 25 megawatts (MWs), will bring locally-generated solar photovoltaic (PV) power to the utilities' customers over 20+ year terms.
SOURCE Lightsource BP
